Renault Samsung CEO on charm offensive

Renault Samsung Motors CEO Dominique Signora met with Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Heo Yong-do on Monday as he continues the campaign to win back consumer trust in the automaker.

The Korean subsidiary of Renault said Signora expressed the company’s desire to boost domestic sales and normalize the operations at the Busan plant during the meeting with the chamber.

Renault Samsung Motors has been unable to reach an agreement with its union. Reaching a deal is necessary for the company to win more work from the Renault group. Negotiations are ongoing.

“Even after reaching a wage deal, it will only be a half-fledged success without the trust of our local customers,” Signora said, explaining why it is important for the company to also focus on domestic sales.

To boost local sales, the automaker promised to extend warranties to seven years and 140,000 kilometers (86,992 miles) for local buyers of the SM6 sedan and the QM6 sport-utility vehicle (SUV) this month. Before the extension, the coverage offered was three years and 60,000 kilometers. As for winning orders for the Busan factory, Signora said he is constantly visiting the French headquarters to ensure the new XM3 coupe-SUV sold in Europe is produced in Busan.